The London-based human rights organization FairSquare announced a formal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the International Olympic Committee for allegedly violating political neutrality regulations.
The human rights organization FairSquare will file a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee against Gianni Infantino following Donald Trump’s political interference in a World Cup suspension. The organization accuses the head of football’s global governing body of breaching core principles regarding political independence.
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The controversy erupted after United States President Donald Trump directly intervened to lift a disciplinary suspension imposed on American forward Folarin Balogun during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Donald Trump publicly claimed credit for reversing the sports sanction, which represented an unprecedented move in modern tournament history. This political interference allowed Folarin Balogun to participate in the round of 16 match against Belgium, despite having received a direct red card in the previous match.
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Trump’s Political Intervention
According to the complaining NGO, the International Olympic Committee lists political neutrality as a fundamental pillar of Olympism for all its associated entities. The IOC holds direct disciplinary authority over Gianni Infantino, who joined the prestigious circle of over 100 invited Olympic members in 2020. Consequently, his actions fall under the ethical jurisdiction of the Olympic body.
In a press conference, IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed the unfolding situation and outlined the institutional protocol. Kirsty Coventry stated that if FairSquare submits the official document, the committee will launch a formal investigation. She confirmed that Olympic officials have been closely monitoring the situation, especially given the geopolitical context of the United States acting as a co-host of the 2026 World Cup and the upcoming organizer of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Growing International Backlash
The ties between the FIFA chief and the American leader have raised concerns for several years. Since the North American bid secured the World Cup hosting rights in 2018, Gianni Infantino has maintained close contact with the politician. The sports official attended Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025 and has since made multiple visits to the White House. Furthermore, in November, the football executive publicly declared that everyone should support the work of the American president.
The relationship deepened further when Gianni Infantino established the executive FIFA Peace Award, presenting it directly to Donald Trump during the official tournament draw held in Washington. This move sparked intense pushback. Recently, 50 European lawmakers pressured FIFA to investigate the controversial award, aligning with a demand first raised by FairSquare last December. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) criticized FIFA for pardoning the striker after the US president’s personal intervention, intensifying the global scrutiny on football’s leadership.
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